COVINGTON, Ky. – The City of Covington is proud to name Monte Cassino Vineyards as a 2026 Authenti-CITY Award recipient, recognizing its rich history and one-of-a-kind setting. 

The Authenti-CITY Awards were unveiled by the City’s Economic Development Department in 2021 to celebrate National Economic Development Week in a unique way. The awards honor small businesses and destinations that “keep it real in The Cov” by preserving the city’s distinctive character. 

Monte Cassino Vineyards, located at 478 Kuhrs Lane, is a hidden gem nestled on 20 acres of land just 3 miles from downtown Cincinnati. What’s even more interesting is that it is one of the first vineyards in the United States. The property was originally purchased in 1877 by Benedictine Monks, and it gets its name from a monastery founded by St. Benedict in Italy. The most recent owners, Mark and Debbie Schmidt, call it their labor of love. After 20 years of working on the property, the original 14-foot-tall dry-stacked stone wall was uncovered. 

Although it is not currently used as a winery, the property has a museum dedicated to the property, complete with antiques, artwork, reliquaries, and wine-making tools from the owner’s personal collection. The 1830s summer kitchen has been converted into a guest house, which can be rented as an Airbnb. In the past few years, a cabin was converted into a wine-tasting room, which can be rented for special events. Monte Cassino Vineyards is certainly one of the most unique private event destinations in the region. 

Covington embraces its history and unique spaces. For this reason, Monte Cassino Vineyards is a 2026 Authenti-CITY Award recipient.